The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-31
The Story Of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account Of
Mutiny at Sea-
BY w. CLARK RUSSELL
CHAPTER XXIX.-CONTINUEn.

pered.
The boatswain showed the boats
head off, and we each shipped an oar
and pulled the boat about quarter of
a mile away from the ship; and then,
from a strange and wild curiosity to
behold the ship sink. and still in our
hearts clinging tc her, not only as the
home wherein we had found shelter
for many days past, but as the only
visible object in all the stupendous
reach of waters, we threw in the oars
and sat watching her.
AS some hours had elapsed since we
had tasted food, I opened tin of meat
.aEd prepared a meal. The boatswain
ate heartily, and so did the steward;
but could not prevail npon Nary 10
take more than biscuit and sherry
=and-water.
Indeed. as the evening approached,
oar position affected her more deeply,
and often, after she had cast her ewes
toward the horizon, [ would see her
lips whispering a prayer, and feel her
hand tightening on mine.
The ship still lioated, but she was so
low in the water that | every minute
expected 10 see her vanish. The water
was above her main chains, and could
only attribute her obstinacv in not
sinking to the great quantity Of wood
- both in cases and goods-which COM
posed her cargo.
was telling Mary that ere the sun
sunk again we might be on board a
ship, and whispering any words OF en-
-couragemcnt and hope to her, when 1
was startled by the boatswain crying:
Now she's gone. Look at herr
L turned my eyes toward the ship
and could scarcely credit my senses
when l found that her hull had van
ished, and that nothing was to be seen
of her but her spars, which were all
aslanL stern ward.
held my breath as / saw the mast,
sink lower and lower First the cross
jack yard was submerged, the gaff with
the ensign hanging dead at the peak,
the maia-yard; presently only the
main-top-mast cross-tree was visible,
"A dark cross upon the water; they van
isned. AT the same moment the sun
behind the horizon; and
now we were alone on the great, breath
ing deep. with all the eastern sky grow
ing dark as we watched.
Its all over" said the boatswain,
breaking the silence, and speaking in
"A hollow tone. NO Twin man'H see
the Grosvcnor again."
Mary shivered and leaned against
mc. L took up n rug and folded it
around her, and kissed her forehead.
Darkness came down very quickly,
and, that we might lose no chance of
being seen by any distant vessel, !
lighted the ships lantern and hoisted
it at the masthead. l also lighted the
bull s-eye lamp and set it in the stern
sheets
Mary" 1 whispered. Il will make
You up a bed in the bottom of the
boat. While this weather lasts, dear
est, we have no cause to be alarmed
by our position. 1t will make me happy
30 see YOU sleeping. and be sure that
while you sleep there will be watchful
eyes near you."
Il viii sleep as l am. here. by your
side; l shall rest better So" she an
swered. ~ couldnot sleep lying down"
1t was TOO sweet Il privilege to fore
go; passed my arm around her and
held her close TO ne; and she closed her
eyes like Il child, to please me.
She fell asleep n last, and | sat for
nearly two hours motioniess, that /
should not awaken her. The steward
slept with his head in his arms, kneel-
ing-a strange, mad posture. The
boatSwain sat forward, with his face
turned aft and his arms folded. adj
dressed him once. but he did not an
swer. Probably / spoke too low for
him to hear. being fearful of waking
Mary; but there was little we had to
say Doubtless he found his thoughts
too engross ng to suffer him to talk.
Being anxious to take a star" as
we say ut sea. AMI not knowing how
the time went. | gently drew out my
watch and found the hour a quarter 10
eleven. In replacing the watch
aroused Mary, who raised her head and
looked around her with eyes that
flashed in the lantern light.
Where are we?" she exclaimed. |
and bent her head 10 gaze at me, on
which she recollccted herself. Poor |
boy" she said, taking my hand, Il
have kept you supporting my we,Tht. !
You were more tired than l. But it is
your turn now. Rest your head on my |
shoulder"
mo. it is still your turn" answered, |
land you shall sleep again presently. |
But since you are awake. l will try TO
find out where we are. You shall hold |
the lamp fer me while | make nv cal |
culationS and examine the chart
Saying which. drew out my scxtant
and got across the thwarts to the |
mast, which | stood up across-side of |
TO lean on; for the swell, though mod
crate enough TO pass without notice on
a big vessel. lifted and sunk the boat
in such n way as to make it difficult 10
stand steady.
was in the act of raising the SEX
tant to my eve, when the boatswain
cried: mir. Royle. hsten!"
''What do you hear?" l asked.
blush! listen nowrn ne answered, in
3 breathleSs voice.
strained my ear, but nothing was
audible to me but the wash of the water
against the boats side.
Don't you hear il, Mr.. Royle?" he
cried. in kind of agony, holding up
his finger. Miss Robertson, don't you
hear something's"
There was another interval of silence,
and Mary answered.: II hear kind of
''It is sou l exclaimed. 81 hear it
now! 1t is the engines of steamerr'
"A steamer? Yesi heard it! where
is she?" shouted the boatswain, and he
jumped on the thwart on which stood
dashed the lamp by the ring of it to
an oar and waved it TO and fro. Mean